A.C. mayor will plead guilty amid probe of military record

AP PhotoFormer Atlantic City Mayor Bob Levy is seen in Atlantic City in a 2006 photo.

Former Atlantic City Mayor Robert Levy plans to plead guilty in federal court tomorrow, less than three weeks after he resigned amid a federal investigation into whether he embellished his military service record and received disability benefits he didn't deserve.

Levy, 60, a Democrat and Vietnam vet who took office in January 2006, resigned earlier this month and plans to plead guilty in Camden tomorrow, said Edwin Jacobs, Levy's attorney.

"We've reached an agreement with the federal government on the disposition of their investigation," Jacobs said. Asked why Levy chose to plead guilty, the attorney said: "Common sense. My advice. A sense of responsibility."

Jacobs declined to discuss the specific charges to which Levy will plead.

At the time of his resignation, Jacobs confirmed that plea negotiations were under way with the U.S. Attorney's office regarding Levy's claims that he had received two military awards, "neither of which appear to be supported."

The former mayor's troubles began last fall, when the Press of Atlantic City reported that he had padded his military resume by claiming to have been a Green Beret and to have received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, a medal given to soldiers who participate in active ground combat.

Levy was a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. But he was not a Green Beret.

Levy caused an uproar last month by dropping from sight, leaving confusion about who was in charge of city hall.

At the time, Domenic Capella, the city's business administrator, said Levy was on medical leave but did not say why, where or for how long. Capella also announced that Levy had appointed him mayor for the time being.

Jacobs has since said Levy checked himself into a clinic because he had been overmedicating himself with pain pills to treat severe back pain and using different medication to treat post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his war service.